Media law cases before the ECtHR
The European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber Panel has decided to refer the case of Delfi v Estonia to the Grand Chamber. The applicant appeals against the court’s decision that Estonia was not in breach of… Read More »
Judge awards Claimants £45,000 each
Mohammad Asghar, a Member of the Welsh Assembly, and Abdul Rahman Mujahid, a businessman active in the South Wales Muslim community, have each been awarded £45,000 following a trial in the Cardiff District Registry to… Read More »
New edition of Gatley on Libel and Slander out now
The new edition, fully updated and revised to include coverage of the Defamation Act 2013, is now available. The editing team on the 12th Ed. includes three members of 5RB: Godwin Busuttil and Adam Speker… Read More »
New time limit for defamation jury trial applications
The Civil Procedure Rules are to be amended to the effect that an application for trial by jury in a defamation claim will now have to be made at the first Case Management Conference. This… Read More »
Court of Appeal dismisses costs appeal in Mitchell “Plebgate” libel case
In an important ruling, the Court of Appeal has dismissed Andrew Mitchell’s appeal and upheld Master McCloud’s decisions: (1) that having failed to file his costs budget in time, Mr Mitchell was to be treated as… Read More »
Defamation Act 2013 to come into force on 1 January 2014
Justice Minister Lord McNally has confirmed that the Defamation Act 2013 will come into force on 1 January 2014. The Act received Royal Assent on 25 April of this year, but requires an Order from… Read More »
Costs in defamation and privacy proceedings
The Ministry of Justice has produced its consultation paper on costs in defamation and privacy claims. It is looking for practitioners’ views on proposed changes to the costs regime following the impending changes to CFAs… Read More »
Defamation Act 2013 talks
Book your place – limited places remaining! 1 CPD hour 5RB is pleased to announce that we will be hosting talks on the new Defamation Act in London, Leeds and Manchester. The details for the… Read More »
Blackstone’s Guide to the Defamation Act 2013 published
Blackstone’s Guide to the Defamation Act 2013 is published by Oxford University Press today. The Guide combines analysis of the new Act from experts at 5RB, with full text of the Act, its Explanatory Notes… Read More »
MoJ Consultation on s.5 Operators of Websites Regulations Guidance
The Ministry of Justice is consulting on the Guidance and FAQs which accompany newly issued draft Regulations under s. 5 Defamation Act 2013. Section 5 of the Act outlines a new defence to defamation claims… Read More »
Lance Armstrong settles Sunday Times case over defamation damages
Lance Armstrong and the Sunday Times have reached a “mutually acceptable final resolution” to the High Court case brought by the Sunday Times’ to reclaim the £300,000 paid to Armstrong in damages, plus £720,000 in… Read More »
Former Tory Treasurer awarded £180,000 against Sunday Times
The former Treasurer of the Conservative Party, Peter Cruddas, has won his legal battle with the Sunday Times after being awarded £180,000 against the newspaper and two of its Insight journalists. The action for libel and malicious falsehood arose… Read More »
Surfer wins damages
Yachting World has apologised in open court to Mr Tristram Cokes over a false allegation that he had served time for cocaine smuggling and agreed to pay him substantial libel damages. Mr Cokes has been… Read More »
DPP unveils guidance on social media prosecutions
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keir Starmer has issued guidance for the CPS on when to initiate legal action against those who breach UK communications laws on social media. The guidance comes after a number… Read More »
Defamation Act receives Royal Assent
The Defamation Bill has completed all its Parliamentary stages, and having received Royal Assent has become the Defamation Act 2013. The Act requires a Statutory Instrument to bring it into force. Justice Minister Lord McNally… Read More »
CJC report on defamation costs published
The Working Group put together by the Civil Justice Council (CJC) to look into costs protection options in defamation and related proceedings published its final report yesterday. The report sets out a number of recommendations… Read More »
Croatian Actor wins damages for “Nazi war criminal” error
A Croatian actor has accepted undisclosed libel damages after The Independent wrongly identified him as a Nazi war criminal. Ljubomir Jurkovic brought libel proceedings against the newspaper after his photograph was used to illustrate a front page story about the death of… Read More »
Blogger loses libel claim against Council
A Blogger, who runs a website called Carmarthenshire Planning Problems and More, has lost her libel claim against a Council and its Chief Executive. Jacqui Thompson had achieved some nationwide publicity when she was arrested… Read More »
Banker libel case settles
The parties in Qadir v Associated Newspapers Ltd have reached a settlement. Former banker Irfan Qadir has reached a settlement with Associated Newspapers over the publication in the Mail on Sunday in 2011 of two… Read More »
Google can be liable as publisher
The Court of Appeal today handed down its long-awaited judgment in Tamiz v Google Inc. It is the first case, following a sequence of High Court decisions such as Godfrey v Demon Internet, Bunt v Tilley… Read More »